While Steeler Nation awaits the fate of their future Hall of Fame starting quarterback, it appears a decision been made about the team’s No. 4 QB.

Devlin “Duck” Hodges was one of five players who finished the recently completed season on the practice squad who have not yet been signed to a reserve/future deal. According to the NFL’s transactions report for Monday, Hodges’ contract expired, a strong indication he is not part of the Steelers’ plans for 2021.

Three other recognizable names have had their Steelers contracts expire: former West Virginia running back Wendell Smallwood, former Clemson wide receiver Deon Cain and kicker Matthew Wright, who filled in for an injured Chris Boswell for three of the Steelers’ final five games.

First-year tight end Charles Jones also was allowed to have his contract expire.

A message posted Tuesday to the verified Twitter account of Hodges read: “Pittsburgh! Thankful for the opportunity and the ability to live out my dream. Nothing but love! QUACK!”

— Devlin Hodges (@DevlinHodges10) January 19, 2021

Hodges went 3-3 as a starter and engineered another victory in relief as an undrafted rookie during the 2019 season after season-ending elbow surgery to Ben Roethlisberger. Hodges, who set FCS passing records at Samford, goes by the nickname “Duck” because of his elite-level duck-calling skills.

After going undrafted and not being signed by any team in the days following the 2019 draft, Hodges came to Steelers rookie minicamp on a tryout and earned a camp roster spot. He impressed during training camp but was an odd man out behind Roethlisberger, recent third-round pick Mason Rudolph and recent fourth-rounder Josh Dobbs.

But Hodges was signed to the practice squad after Week 1 when the Steelers traded Dobbs. Hodges was promoted to the active roster when Roethlisberger went on injured reserve a week later.

Hodges nearly led a comeback victory in making his NFL debut after Rudolph was concussed by the Baltimore Ravens, but a JuJu Smith-Schuster fumble in overtime resulted in a loss. But Hodges won his first start (at the Los Angeles Chargers) the following week, led the comeback win at Cincinnati after replacing Rudolph in November and engineered victories against the Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals in December.

Only one other undrafted rookie quarterback in NFL history had won his first two starts.

Tevin Jones catches the @DevlinHodges10 pass to extend Pittsburgh's lead. #TBvsPIT

?: @nflnetworkWatch on the NFL app: https://t.co/PUjPEgbtkN pic.twitter.com/PtczyYsjrh

— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2019

But the “Duck” magic wore out in three consecutive losses to close out the season (one touchdown pass, six interceptions), with Hodges getting benched in one of them. Hodges remained on the Steelers’ 2020 offseason roster and initially held on to the No. 3 QB job, but the Steelers re-signed Dobbs after the Jacksonville Jaguars cut him in September.

The Steelers typically don’t carry four quarterbacks, but the special circumstances of the coronavirus-affected season compelled them to keep Hodges on the practice squad, where he remained all season.

There is nothing preventing the Steelers from re-signing Hodges over this offseason, although he is free to join any other team. Dobbs is a free agent, and there is speculation the soon-to-be 39-year-old Roethlisberger could retire.

In another procedural transaction for the Steelers listed late Monday, cornerback Joe Haden was activated off of the reserve/covid-19 list. Haden missed the regular-season finale and playoff opener after testing positive for coronavirus.

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